James P. Scanlon obituary

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Obituary of
James P. Scanlon
(1865 - 1892)


James was the son of Michael J. and Mary (McDonnell) Scanlon, the seventh of their 14 children. He was born on the family farm in Seven Mile Creek Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on March 31, 1865. Like his brother Thomas he was involved in local politics, serving as town Treasurer of Seven Mile Creek. His main occupation appears to have been working on the family farm. He did not marry, and died at the young age of 27 of tuberculosis.

Related Items:
Pictures of his siblings.
Obituaries for his mother Mary McDonnell and father Michael J.
Obituaries for his sister Catherine and brothers Thomas F. and John.
A 1923 biography of his brother Michael J.
Ad for the Scanlon Bro's dry goods store owned by his brothers Thomas and John.

The Mauston Star (Mauston, Wisconsin)
May 1892

Lyndon Items.

      The death of James P. Scanlon, of this place, and the subsequent funeral obsequies which occurred at the Catholic church here Monday last [May 1?], were both sad an sorrowful. And these feelings were augmented from the fact that in addition to the casket containing his mortal remains, by his side there lay another with all that was mortal of James Londgergan.1
      James P. Scanlon was but twenty-seven years of age, a young man of excellent ability, sterling character, the soul of honor and the personification of piety and manly virtue. His health had been failing for about two years. While in the discharge of his duties as town Treasurer of Seven Mile Creek, he contracted a cold which developed in the grip, and on Saturday evening last he was called to his final account.
      The references to his life in the eloquent funeral sermon of Rev. Father Meurs, were both touching and pathetic. The portrayal of the young man�s character brought from the hearts of all in the large concourse of people present a sigh of sorrow at his early demise, and the eyes of all were bedimmed with those tears, are the truest token of love and affection. Deceased was the son of Michael and Mary Scanlon, pioneers of this section, and the sympathy of this community goes out to them2 in their sorrow and bereavement.
      For the past thirteen years James Londergan, whose age had crept up into the fifties, was a constant sufferer from paralysis. His life was an exemplary one and through it all, while suffering from this dread disease, he exhibited the greatest of Christian fortitude and patience, always accepting his affliction as of the will of God.
      This dual funeral was one of the largest ever witnessed here, the teams in the cortege numbering one hundred and twenty-five.


1 I am not sure what, if any, connection there was between James Scanlon and James Londergan. Census records indicate he may have been related to the family of Annie Havey, future wife of James' brother William (they married in 1897).
2 Only James' father Michael was living at the time of his death, his mother had died in 1886.




Transcribed by Erica DeCoursey
2005